Album had been a single album instead of a double album. It's a concept that was started when George Martin looked back on the past and said aloud that it would have been much stronger as a single album. Ringo agreed. So did George. But Paul didn't. I agree Paul that if you're a Beatle nut, the more songs the better. But several years ago I decided to check it out for myself and I created an iPod playlist of the Beatles White Album, Single Album version. It was designed with two thoughs in mind: 1) that it would follow Beatle form as it would contain around 14 songs (although by 1968 they had dropped the mandatory 14-song album) and would feature one song by Ringo, 2-3 songs by George and the rest would be a pretty even match between John and Paul, and 2) it would have my personal flavor. My problem was getting the songs even between John and Paul as I was heavily biased for John's songs. So I manned up and got Paul's count to 6 and John's to 8. But wait! That's already 15 songs! So that left two for George and one for Ringo bringing my total to 17. That's a 50-minute record of pure lust! Now, Mojo Mag tried to create what would have been George Martin's idea of a single record here. Notice it is very Paul centered. It's a 15-track record that I think would suck. But that's my opinion. Let me take you on a journey through MY single White Album. Tighten your selt belts, check the rear view mirror for a pissed off Ringo and off we go!!First songs to kick off the island: These songs were either left on the album for ego purposes or because George Martin (in pic to your right) had lost control as baby-sitter and censor for not-the-best songs. First to go are both Revolutions. Obviously Revolution 9 should never be released on a Pop/rock album. John should have put it on the Zapple lable with one of his and Yoko's experimental tracks but none of the Beatles could convince him to do it. That's gone. Revolution 1 is out because the single version is 20x better and like Paul said, "It's too damn slow." Other obvious ones include Wild Honey Pie, Savoy Truffle, Long Long Long (apologies to George).
The next songs to get sliced and diced are harder to kick off and they probably have some fans out there, but compared to the final 17, these are running in the slow heat of the 100-yard dash: The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill, Martha My Dear, Rocky Raccoon, Birthday, Mother Nature's Son, Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except for Me and My Monkey, Honey Pie and Good Night. Now Birthday, Mother and Monkey are tough ones to leave off for me. In my little imagination world, those resurface in the Get Back sessions and are released then. Or if Ringo has his way they are released on the "Whiter" Album. Ok, here's the track list. Unlike the people at Mojo, I tended to stay with the track order that the Beatles originally chose, but there are some variations. Here we go:
Side A
1. Back To The U.S.S.R
2. Dear Prudence
3. Glass Onion
Probably my favorite start to any Beatles album, these three songs start things with a bang as the rocker U.S.S.R. is followed by one of my favorite songs Prudence and the even rockier Glass Onion. If you take off Glass Onion they you may not have the "Paul is Dead" theory of 1969 and we just can't have that can we?
4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Fair to say the other Beatles hated this song, but Paul's pop tune that was re-made and re-made again is still a goodie.
5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
6. Happiness Is A Warm Gun
7. I'm So Tired
8. Don't Pass Me By
Side A ends with Ringo's lone composition of the record. The first side looks really good to me and I can't think of a better Side A than that in the Beatles catalog except maybe "A Hard Day's Night" or "Rubber Soul."
Side B
1. Helter Skelter
Birthday started Side B with a bang and with Helter Skelter it's even more so. One Mojo writer put HS on the side A to start the record, which I think would be awesome too, but he left U.S.S.R. off and I can't agree with that.
2. Yer Blues
3. Blackbird
4. Sexy Sadie
5. Piggies
George's second song for the record is a very underrated song that holds side B together in this edition.
6. Cry Baby Cry
7. Why Don't We Do It In The Road?
8. I Will
9. Julia
Road is a toss up. I love the song, but had it been a single record it wouldn't have made the cut. However, I keep it on here because of time and Paul getting his song numbers up to near John's. Julia finishes the record in fantastic fashion.
There it is. The single album version of the White Album. Looks good doesn't it? But it's not at all complete and that's what makes me hate the idea that it should have been one album instead of two. Stuff it up yer arse Martin! On to the links....
2 mintues...2-ah
I've said it a lot lately and I'll say it again, not much happening in Pacer Land. But to see an interview with Roy Hibbert is interesting. I love how every interview with the players this summer has them either doing some activity that white, rural Indiana fans, who have hated the recent "dreadlocks" NBA, love to do in their own time and also has them talking about their extensive charity work. Talk about damage control!
Top Five
Easy one today. My top five Beatle songs from 1968. Notice numbers 3-5 did not appear on the White Album.
5. Revolution
4. Hey Bulldog
3. Across the Universe
2. Dear Prudence
1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Mrs. Thug Mrs.
My wife's affection for So You Think You Can Dance comes to a close this week when the finale airs and the winner is chosen. But trouble happened this weekend when two dancers (not named in story) were rushed to the hospital.
Hello Mr. Radio
In honor of the WWE SummerSlam event in a couple of weeks in Indy (which I'm attending), here's my favorite WWE Diva, Kelly Kelly. Enjoy.
Info for Bo
The Dunkin Donuts chef himself had his high school basketball jersey retired this week at Pizza Hut, but the news in the papers was the grand opening of his store in Bloomington. Let us know when the jersey ceremony takes place.
You tube...no, you're a tube
To honor the Hell in a Cell upcoming match between the Undertaker and Edge, here's a look back at the greatest WWE match ever where the term hell in a cell holds true. Tune to the 6:45 mark for an immediate look at what I'm talking about.
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1 comment:
I love Kelly Kelly, however I've never heard of her. Needless to say, my feelings that of the Beatles and WWF are the same. I love the Beatles and the WWF can fuck off.
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